Latest news and reports

12 July 2018 to 3 August 2018, data users’ survey on “long-term health problem or disability”: question for the 2021 Census in England and Wales

We invited those who use England and Wales census data on “long-term health problem or disability” in their work, or intend to in the future, to fill in an online survey. We conducted this survey to help inform our decision on which question design would best meet data user needs in the 2021 Census in England and Wales.

Moving to this question in the 2021 Census would mean a loss of continuity with the data previously collected in the census. We’re conducting engagement and testing to inform our decision, including this short survey, which was designed for data users of this information.

The survey ran from Thursday 12 July 2018 to Friday 3 August 2018.

June 2018, census questions research

BMG Research conducted a large-scale survey on behalf of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This was to inform the development of potential questions for the 2021 Census questionnaire.

A total of 30,000 households were randomly selected to take part in the survey. The households asked to take part were able to respond between 18 June 2018 and 6 August 2018.

BMG Research is an independent research agency that we contracted to do the research.

Past news and reports

This report provides an update of our research and testing on questions and topics for the 2021 Census.

July 2017, 2021 Census Roadshow slides

In July 2017, we updated users on our progress towards designing the 2021 Census questionnaire with a series of roadshow events in Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Newcastle. For an up-to-date view, see the 2021 Census topic research report.

The Opening slides from the roadshow sessions include information on the agenda and background.

This report presents our full response to the consultation, updating our initial view on 2021 Census content for England and Wales.

The report provides an overview of the evaluation process we used to assess the responses and summarises the results of the evaluation. It sets out our updated view on the topics to be included in the 2021 Census, including a summary of proposals for new topics, next steps and an overview of our plans.

Background

In 2015, we had the biggest-ever public consultation response to topics that should be included in the 2021 Census. Most of the topics being considered for inclusion were decided by evaluating responses to this consultation. We’re still considering how, or whether, to meet user need for information on some topics, for example, the proposed new topics of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Further question development work is being carried out before our recommendations inform a government White Paper in 2018.